Bess and her servant-maid were in the first apartment below.
"Mother Bess," said Monsieur De Vlierbeck, calmly, "we have come to bid you good-by." Bess stared a moment anxiously at the travellers, and, lifting her apron to her eyes, left the apartment; while the servant-maid leaned her head against the window-frame and began to sob as if her heart would break.
In a short time Bess returned with her husband, whom she had found in the barn.
"Alas! is it true, sir," said the farmer, in a stifled voice,--"is it true that you are going to leave Grinselhof, and that, perhaps, we shall never see you again ?" "Come, come, mother Bess," said the poor bankrupt, as he took and pressed her hand; "don't weep on that account; you see we bear our lot with resignation." Bess raised her head, threw her eyes once more over the humble dress of her old master, and began to cry so violently that she could not utter a word.

Her husband strove manfully to repress his emotion; and, after an effort or two, addressed Monsieur De Vlierbeck in a manly way:-- "May I ask the favor of you, sir, to let me say a word or two to you in private ?" De Vlierbeck entered the adjoining room, where he was followed by the farmer, who shut the door carefully.
"I hardly dare, sir," said he, "to mention my request; but will you pardon me if it displeases you ?" "Speak out frankly, my friend," returned De Vlierbeck, with a smile.
"Look you, sir," stammered the tender-hearted laborer.

"Every thing that I have earned I owe to you.

I had nothing when I married Bess; and yet, with your kindness, we have managed to succeed.

God's mercy and your favor have made us prosperous; while you, our benefactors, have become unfortunate and are forced to wander away from their home,--God knows where! You may be forced to suffer privations and want; but that must not be: I would reproach myself as long as I live.